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No one likes it when there is a spill on the floor, but with the help of the CRI, it can be cleaned before becoming a permanent part of the carpet. The information listed below will prepare you to properly deal with spills and keep your carpet clean for years to come.

Spot Removal Steps

Act Quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment, so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.

Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white (no printing) paper towels.

Do not scrub the area! Scrubbing can cause pile distortion in the affected area. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. For semi-solids, gently scrape up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed.

Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to make certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.

Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth, allow to sit for about 10 minutes and work in gently.

Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub! Blot, absorbing as much as possible, and repeat if necessary.

Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill. Be patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times.

After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water, and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed. Apply a one-half inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to change paper towels as needed.

Acid Substances
Strong acids, such as battery acids and some tile cleaning compounds, if spilled on a carpet, require prompt action to prevent serious damage. First, flush the affected area with water. Sponge up the excess and repeat the process several times until the acid has been diluted and washed away. Finally, sponge the area with a solution prepared by adding one (1) tablespoon of baking soda to one (1) quart of warm water. Rinse again. Dry the carpet as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Blood
To remove blood, use only cool cleaning solutions to prevent setting the stain. Removal of bloodborne pathogens may require the assistance of a carpet cleaning professional.

Burns
Burn damage can be remedied only by reweaving, retufting, or resectioning the damaged area. However, the appearance of an area of charred carpet can be improved by carefully clipping off blackened ends of tufts using small, sharp scissors. Trim surrounding tufts to minimize indentation.

Dye Stains
Many beverages, medicines, cosmetics, foods, and other liquids contain dyes. These dyes may be absorbed into the fibers making removal very slow or impossible. If removal does not appear to be possible, contact Interior Technology Services, Inc. for advice. Sometimes the stain can be hidden by spot dyeing, retufting, or by repairing the affected area.

Fingernail Polish
Use a non-acetate fingernail polish remover. Apply a small amount of the fingernail polish remover to a white cloth, and work in gently - do not rub - working from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent spreading. Allow to remain on the spill a few minutes. Be patient, blotting the area several times.

Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the carpet fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Whenever using a cleaning solution on your carpet, make sure you pre-test the spot removal solution (for color transfer to the cloth or damage to the carpet) in an inconspicuous area.

Ink (Ballpoint Pen)
Follow recommended procedures to contain the spill using rubbing alcohol as the dry cleaning solvent. Rubbing alcohol (90% isopropyl) can be used as a dry cleaning solvent by applying with a cloth or towel. Do not pour rubbing alcohol directly onto the carpet.

Mustard

Some mustards contain very strong dyes that are difficult to remove. It may be necessary to remove the stained area and reinsert an undamaged section of carpet.

Rust

Rust almost always requires professional service because the chemicals required are hazardous when used improperly.

Owners of even the best-trained pets will occasionally encounter pet accidents. Often, the urine is not discovered until long after the accident. The types of damage from pet stains can be diverse and are dependent upon the makeup of the urine. Urine content will change over the pet’s life because of the pet’s diet, medications, age, health, sex, and reproductive cycles. Because of these variations, some urine stains may not be removable.

To treat urine-damaged areas:

1. Blot damp areas as soon as the urine is detected, with plain white paper toweling.
2. Apply a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent (non-bleach and non-lanolin) with one cup of lukewarm water. Do not use automatic dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent.
3. Absorb the moisture with paper towel, rinse with warm water and repeat the application of detergent. Continue rinsing and blotting with the detergent solution and water as long as there is a transfer to the toweling or improvement in the spot.
4. Follow the detergent application with a solution of one cup white vinegar to two cups water, and blot dry.
5. Apply a half-inch layer of paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy, non-fading object. Continue to change paper towels until completely dry.

When urine spots develop slowly and are noticed after much time has elapsed, the dyes and carpet fibers may be permanently damaged. In beige carpet, blue dyes are attacked by pet urine, leaving behind the red and yellow dyes with a resulting stain appearing red, yellow, or orange.

Pet urine, left unattended, can damage carpet in several ways. Moisture can weaken the layers of the carpet, allowing separation or delamination of the backing material. Seam areas can be particularly damaged and can separate.

Another problem, especially with cats, is odor. Unless the cat urine can be completely removed, complete odor removal is unlikely. A number of products are available to combat odor, but may simply mask the odor, and, in times of high humidity, the odor may reappear. Recently, enzymes, available at pet stores and veterinary offices, have been developed that are more effective; but they may be better used by a carpet cleaning professional. If odor cannot be removed, the damaged area of the carpet can be replaced with a piece from reserved scrap. If carpet replacement is necessary, then replacement of cushion and even subflooring may also be necessary.

Some carpet manufacturers have developed backings that resist spills and even prevent the spillage from penetrating the carpet into the carpet cushion and, perhaps, the subfloor. Check with Interior Technology Services, Inc. about these products.

Regular Care
Today’s carpet fibers are designed to hide soil and reflect light, and have the ability to resist soiling and stains. The effect of soil in carpet is not as visible as it is on hard surface flooring where soil remains on the surface and is easily seen. The ability of today's carpet fibers to hide soiling is a positive feature for most consumers. However, the lack of apparent soiling does not eliminate the necessity of regular cleaning.

Most dry soil has razor-like edges that abrade carpet fibers causing light to reflect differently and giving carpet a dull appearance. Soil can damage the fibers permanently if allowed to remain in the pile.

A regular maintenance program extends the life and the initial appearance of your carpet. Specific care information may be available from your carpet dealer or from a toll free number provided by the carpet manufacturer or fiber producer.

Basic Vacuuming
A good practice is to vacuum often the areas that receive the most traffic, such as hallways, stairs, exterior entry ways, and paths in the home where there is constant wear. Vacuum the entire carpeted area a minimum of twice per week.

Removing loose soil while it remains on the surface is important so that it is not worked into the carpet pile by foot traffic. Removing embedded soil is more difficult and time consuming than removing surface soil.

To remove surface soil, push the vacuum forward several feet with the pile direction of the carpet in a slow, deliberate motion and then reverse direction. Embedded soil is best removed by moving the vacuum cleaner in a slow, deliberate motion. Repeat strokes as necessary based on the traffic pattern and soiled level of the carpet.

Vacuum Cleaner Selection- For maximum effectiveness, use a vacuum cleaner that has adjustable and rotating brushes that are able to loosen ground-in soil, and a strong enough airflow to penetrate to the backing, extracting all particles. The vacuum cleaner should have an enclosed, high filtration bag that limits particles from recirculating into the air.

For the best cleaning results, no matter which type vacuum cleaner you purchase, inspect it periodically to be sure it is functioning properly.

• Keep brushes clean and replace them when worn.
• Keep vacuum hoses and attachments free of obstructions that restrict airflow.
• Inspect the vacuum head for rough edges or bent metal that may damage your carpet.
• Inspect belts frequently to make certain they are working properly.
• Always keep a spare belt for replacement as needed.
• Follow the vacuum cleaner manufacturer's instructions, and change the vacuum bag when it becomes more than half full. As the bag becomes full, efficiency is reduced.

Taking proper care of your rug will prolong its life and appearance. Vacuum your rug regularly to remove loose soil, taking special care when vacuuming fringe and edges. Some throw rugs, especially for bathrooms, can be washed in your home laundry. Always comply with manufacturer’s recommended cleaning methods to prevent warranty invalidation and damage to your rug.

HaveInterior Technology Services, Inc. deep clean your rug often. Several cleaning methods will work, but to prevent rapid resoiling, it is important to completely remove any cleaning agents.